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The Sacred Identity of Twins in Yoruba Tradition

  • By: Bukunmi Oyewole
Taiwo and Kehinde Oguntoye, twin brothers and organizers of the World Twins Festival, wearing identical light brown agbada with striped patterns and red coral beads, standing outdoors during the World Twins Festival in Igboora, Nigeria. Their hands gesture playfully as they pose for the camera.
Taiwo and Kehinde Oguntoye, 40-year-old twin brothers and organizers of the World Twins Festival—officially launched in 2018—wear matching traditional Yoruba attire at the celebration in Igboora, Oyo State, Nigeria. They founded the festival to honor the uniqueness of twins and to showcase Igboora’s distinction as the town with the highest twin birthrate in the world. Photo credit: Bukunmi Oyewole, October 9, 2021

In Yoruba spiritual belief, every person on earth has an unseen spiritual double—In the town of Igboora, located in Oyo State in southwest Nigeria, twins hold a unique and celebrated place in the community. Known for having the highest twin birth rate in the world, the town becomes a vibrant hub each year as twins from across Nigeria and beyond gather to honor their shared identity. This celebration takes shape as the World Twins Festival, an annual event filled with color, pageantry, and cultural pride. I had the opportunity to attend and document the festival through my lens.

In Yoruba tradition, twins are not just biological coincidences. They are considered sacred gifts from Olodumare, our supreme being. Culturally, we give them names with meaning: Taiwo, the one who tastes the world first, and Kehinde, the one who comes after. These names carry more than birth order;  they have spiritual weight and identity. Whatever the reasons behind Igboora’s unusually high twin birth rate—whether scientific, genetic, or linked to the local diet—what truly matters is how the community embraces and celebrates it. 

The Yoruba are one of the largest Indigenous ethnic groups in Nigeria. They have a rich cultural heritage grounded in language, religion, art, and community. Their traditions are deeply rooted in reverence for ancestors, spiritual beliefs, and a strong sense of identity. For the Yoruba, identity is inseparable from ancestry, communal belonging, and spirituality. This connection is reflected in the names they carry, the stories passed down through generations, the rituals they uphold, and the vibrant way they celebrate festivals and life events.

The celebration of twins reinforces Yoruba cultural heritage by preserving deeply held beliefs and values. Honoring twins through festivals, prayers, and naming rituals reflects the community’s strong commitment to tradition. In Yoruba spiritual belief, every person on earth has an unseen spiritual double—an entity that is not physically born. However, in the case of twins, it is believed that this spiritual counterpart has been born alongside them, giving their presence a profound spiritual significance.

My focus was on the twins themselves, the individuals who form the heart of this unique community. I captured the faces of twins from all walks of life: some had traveled long distances to take part in the celebration, while others proudly called Igboora home.

In a country where, not too long ago, twins were seen as a curse in some regions—believed to bring misfortune—it is powerful to witness a place where they are honored as sacred. In Igboora, twins were never feared; they have always been celebrated. Friends from Heaven shows how Indigenous identity can hold space for both history and healing.

Two young twin girls standing close together with their arms around each other’s shoulders. They wear matching turquoise sleeveless dresses and gold earrings. Photographed during the World Twins Festival in Igboora, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Young twin girls in matching turquoise dresses attend the World Twins Festival in Igboora, Oyo State, Nigeria. Their father brought them from outside the town to celebrate their twinship alongside hundreds of others. Photo credit: Bukunmi Oyewole, October 9, 2021
In Yoruba culture, twins are believed to share a profound spiritual bond. In Igboora, a town renowned for its unusually high twin birthrate, this connection is celebrated through the annual festival. These twin brothers have attended the event since it began in 2018, joining countless others in honoring their shared identity and cultural heritage. Photo credit: Bukunmi Oyewole, October 9, 2021

In Yoruba culture, twins are believed to share a profound spiritual bond. In Igboora, a town renowned for its unusually high twin birthrate, this connection is celebrated through the annual festival. These twin brothers have attended the event since it began in 2018, joining countless others in honoring their shared identity and cultural heritage. Photo credit: Bukunmi Oyewole, October 9, 2021

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In Yoruba belief, twins are seen as a special blessing, often watched over by the deity Òrìṣà Ìbejì. These boys, brought by their parents to celebrate their shared bond, were excited to meet other twins and take part in the day’s festivities. Photo credit: Bukunmi Oyewole, October 9, 2021

In Yoruba belief, twins are seen as a special blessing, often watched over by the deity Òrìṣà Ìbejì. These boys, brought by their parents to celebrate their shared bond, were excited to meet other twins and take part in the day’s festivities. Photo credit: Bukunmi Oyewole, October 9, 2021

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Taiwo and Kehinde Obasekore, 31, wear matching purple traditional attire and headwraps at the World Twins Festival in Igboora, Oyo State, Nigeria. In Yoruba tradition, twins are believed to share a unique soul bond and a mystical duality, making them deeply revered and lovingly protected within their communities. Photo credit: Bukunmi Oyewole, October 9, 2021

Taiwo and Kehinde Obasekore, 31, wear matching purple traditional attire and headwraps at the World Twins Festival in Igboora, Oyo State, Nigeria. In Yoruba tradition, twins are believed to share a unique soul bond and a mystical duality, making them deeply revered and lovingly protected within their communities. Photo credit: Bukunmi Oyewole, October 9, 2021
Two twin sisters stand side by side on grass, wearing identical white T-shirts, black jeans, white headscarves, and black slip-on shoes. Each carries a handbag, and one has her arm resting on the other's shoulder.

Identical twin sisters pose for a photograph at the World Twins Festival in Igboora, Oyo State, Nigeria. More than a joyful celebration, the festival stands as a powerful expression of cultural resilience and identity amid globalization and changing social norms. For many, attending is an act of cultural reclamation and a homage to ancestry, spirituality, and the sacred bond that twins hold in Yoruba tradition. Photo credit: Bukunmi Oyewole, October 9, 2021
Twin brothers being interviewed at the World Twins Festival in Igboora, Oyo State, Nigeria. During the exchange, they described themselves as “wonderfully made” and “special beings”, a sentiment shared by many at the festival, where twin identity is celebrated with pride. Photo credit: Bukunmi Oyewole, October 9, 2021

Twin brothers being interviewed at the World Twins Festival in Igboora, Oyo State, Nigeria. During the exchange, they described themselves as “wonderfully made” and “special beings”, a sentiment shared by many at the festival, where twin identity is celebrated with pride. Photo credit: Bukunmi Oyewole, October 9, 2021
Two adult women wearing matching brightly colored Ankara dresses and headwraps stand in front of a promotional backdrop. Both have visible tribal facial markings and wear coral bead necklaces, with one smiling and the other maintaining a neutral expression.

Taiwo and Kehinde Tijani, aged 51 and non-identical twin sisters from Igboora, at the World Twins Festival in Igboora, Oyo State, Nigeria. Though different in appearance, they share a strong bond and have attended the festival since it began in 2018, celebrating the unique identity and connection shared by twins in Yoruba culture. Photo credit: Bukunmi Oyewole, October 9, 2021
Two smiling adult twin brothers stand side by side on a grassy field, dressed in matching green and cream-colored outfits with red caps and gold lapel pins. One holds a red phone and black pouch; the other carries a brown wallet and white phone. Trees and a low wall appear in the background.

Taiwo and Kehinde Adeyemo in matching green and cream outfits at the World Twins Festival in Igboora, Oyo State, Nigeria. The pair are known for their close bond and often attend twin-themed gatherings, connecting with fellow twins across different events. Photo credit: Bukunmi Oyewole, October 9, 2021

 Taiwo and Kehinde Adeyemo in matching green and cream outfits at the World Twins Festival in Igboora, Oyo State, Nigeria. The pair are known for their close bond and often attend twin-themed gatherings, connecting with fellow twins across different events. Photo credit: Bukunmi Oyewole, October 9, 2021
A masquerade figure dressed in a multicoloured patchwork robe and mask, holding ritual objects, is led by a man in white attire during a performance at the World Twins Festival in Igboora, Nigeria. Spectators and uniformed personnel can be seen in the background under tents.

A traditional masquerade, escorted by a handler, performs at the World Twins Festival in Igboora, Oyo State, Nigeria. The display is part of the cultural ceremonies celebrating the town’s rich twin heritage and Yoruba identity. Photo credit: Bukunmi Oyewole, October 9, 2021

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About the Author

Bukunmi Oyewole is a photographer whose art primarily spotlights present-day realities in Africa, offering a glimpse into the diverse landscapes, cultures, and stories of the continent. Through his lens, Bukunmi keeps creating a visual narrative that allows future generations to experience and appreciate Africa’s rich lifestyle, even from across the globe. Also, his work explores the themes that revolve around climate change, using his art to bring attention to climate change issues and to create awareness and engagement with the public about the impacts of climate change.